The Notice Of Race has been published and registration opened for the 2027 BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival to take place on March 29 – April 4.
In five days of racing, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival embraces its unique topography, setting courses that create a bucket list regatta using a combination of islands and buoys in the ‘Sailing Capital of the World’. This format provides a scenic tour of the BVI, matched with perfect courses for all classes. The international race management team sets a mix of sheltered course racing and round the island races to suit the conditions for the nine classes in two fleets.
The Scrub Island Race will kick off the Sailing Festival on Tuesday, March 30, and the Nanny Cay Cup Round Tortola Race will take place on Wednesday, March 31. After a Lay Day on Thursday, the three-day BVI Spring Regatta kicks off on Friday, April 2nd. Sailors can enjoy the two-day Sailing Festival, the three-day BVI Spring Regatta, or all five days of racing.
John Hele and his crew on the TF 10 Thunder and Lightning had a terrific performance at this year’s event winning Performance Multihull racing in the BVI Spring Regatta for their first time. “We were determined to come back this year. It’s been amazing; it’s so much fun to race around all the different islands, and today’s second course is the best ever,” said John.
“Both on land and out in the ocean, the BVI is great. All the courses around the islands are very good; in the DR, or other Caribbean venues, we don’t have that… It was tricky with all the shifts but it was good,” said Joan Rodriguez from the Dominica Republic competing on her Club Swan 42, Lady M for the first time at this year’s event.
The Regatta attracts a diverse fleet of international racing boat. A sizeable number of the annual fleet compete on charter boats ranging from bareboats, to head boats, to performance race boats.
Ondeck Sailing, one of the Caribbean’s premier sailing schools, puts individuals and groups on boats for Caribbean regattas. Skipper/instructor Rory Johnson led a team of five Americans with varying experience aboard the Beneteau 36.7 Blueprint. Crew member Misty Wilmot, found the opportunity through American Sailing Vacations: “We didn’t know about American Sailing Vacations where they list opportunities to race in the Caribbean. We wanted to do the BVI Spring Regatta because we’ve heard so many good things about it, and it was kind of an exciting thing to do. A lot of American sailors just rave about the BVI, and we thought it was the time to try it.”
Kelly Wharton has chartered various boats in the BVI on some ten occasions, both cruising and racing. She sails with a group of women from the West Vancouver Yacht Club — a core group of about four, usually with at least one newcomer aboard. For this year’s event she chartered a Moorings 46. Wharton’s group arrived a few days early to cruise and get to know the charter boat.
“For sailing and to experience all the different islands, you can’t beat it, right? To say it’s a real sailor’s paradise is obviously an understatement!,” Kelly said.
“We raced outside of Salt and Peter islands which we would probably never do cruising when you’re just trying to get from A to B. Sailing on the outside where there are swells and the beauty of the other side of those islands gives you a new perspective.”
The focal point of regatta social activities for the week is the Regatta Village at Nanny Cay which features the Big Top bar, satellite bars, food village, nightly DJs and live bands, tastings and demos, Moko Jumbies, art shows and more.
Sponsorship & Support
Nanny Cay Resort & Marina returns as host and presenting sponsor for the 25th year. Mount Gay Rum, the life blood of the Regatta, and a sponsor since the start 55 years ago, is back for 2027. The Government of the Virgin Islands also continues as a major supporter of the event joining long-time regatta partner, The Moorings.
